Ultimate Teeth-brushing Benefits for Health Quiz

Think brushing your teeth is boring? You might be a lot more interested once you realize how important a clean mouth is to your overall health. Take our quiz to find out how dental-savvy you really are.

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Question 1 of 20

Toothbrushes come with different types of bristles. Which type do most dentists recommend?

soft

Most dentists recommend soft bristles, as anything firmer can potentially damage your gums. You want them clean, not scoured.

medium

firm

Question 2 of 20

How does bacteria in your mouth enter the blood stream?

cavities

swallowing

bleeding gums

Whenever your gums bleed, that means there's a chance bacteria could enter the open wound and cause an infection.

Question 3 of 20

What severe form of gum disease affects the ligaments and bones of the jaw?

halitosis

periodontitis

While halitosis and gingivitis are also associated with oral health, periodontitis is the only one that attacks the underlying tissue and bone of the mouth.

gingivitis

Question 4 of 20

What potential side effect will tobacco have on your oral health?

throat cancer

tooth discoloration

both

Cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars and pipes all have multiple adverse effects on the health and appearance of your mouth.

Question 5 of 20

How many times a day, at minimum, should you brush your teeth?

once

twice

The American Dental Association recommends at least twice a day, with one of those times being before bed. But, you may choose to brush after meals, too.

every time you eat

Question 6 of 20

How often should you replace your toothbrush?

every three or four months

Get a new toothbrush when the old one starts to show wear and tear, usually after three or four months. It's also a good idea to get a new one after recovering from a cold or flu since germs can linger on the bristles.

once a month

twice a year

Question 7 of 20

After what type of food or drink should you wait 30 minutes before brushing?

The American Dental Association recommends using about 18 inches of floss for each flossing session, which should take place every day. No wonder there's so many yards in a package.

24 inches (61 centimeters)

Question 9 of 20

Children should not use fluoride-based dental products before what age?

3

5

7

Fluoride can be harmful if swallowed, so kids need to be old enough to know they have to spit out the mouthwash or toothpaste. Children younger than 7 might have a hard time not swallowing when brushing their teeth.

Question 10 of 20

Foods rich in what element help make your teeth stronger?

potassium

zinc

calcium

Dairy products are rich in calcium and give your teeth and bones a boost.

Question 11 of 20

Poor oral hygiene can lead to what consequence for pregnant women?

early delivery

low-birth-weight baby

both

Research suggests a link between conditions such as periodontitis and complications for an unborn child, including low birth weight and preterm delivery.

Question 12 of 20

When was modern dental floss invented?

1815

Though some floss marks have been discovered on prehistoric human remains, New Orleans dentist Levi Spear Parmly is credited with its modern formulation in 1815.

1894

1923

Question 13 of 20

The most popular toothpaste flavor is mint, since it helps freshen breath. What other ailment can mint help cure?

warts

dry eyes

stomachache

Mint (usually in tea form) has been used to alleviate upset tummies for centuries. It also helps take the itch out of bug bites.

Question 14 of 20

Poor oral hygiene can aggravate which illness?

scoliosis

diabetes

Unstable blood sugar leaves diabetics susceptible to infection, so it's important for them to stay on top of their dental health.

rheumatism

Question 15 of 20

Sjogren's syndrome affects what part of the body?

moisture-producing glands

This autoimmune disorder causes problems all over the body, including inhibiting the saliva-producing glands in your mouth. That's bad news, since saliva helps defend your body against bacteria.

sinuses

taste buds

Question 16 of 20

Which of these is NOT part of a tooth?

pulp

dentine

bone

Pulp and dentine make up the inner layers of a tooth. Bone keeps the tooth securely in your mouth, but it's not part of the tooth itself.

Question 17 of 20

"Dental caries" is another name for what?

cavity

Cavities occur when carbohydrate-rich foods combine with bacteria to become acids, which eat away at the surface of the teeth.

cotton mouth

lockjaw

Question 18 of 20

Left untreated, plaque hardens into what substance?

enamel

calculus

Calculus isn't just a pain for math students. While plaque is relatively easy to remove, once it hardens into calculus, it has to be scraped off by a dentist.

thrush

Question 19 of 20

Before toothpaste, tooth powder was king. Which ingredient was NOT found in early tooth powders?

egg shells

animal horns

gravel

All kinds of pulverized ingredients have been used to make tooth powders throughout history, including myrrh and oyster shells, but not gravel.

Question 20 of 20

Which sweet treat can actually improve your oral health?

gum

Chewing sugarless gum stimulates saliva and helps remove plaque. Some brands even have a seal of approval from the American Dental Association.